Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-01-13
AN ABUSED DAY.
Why Christmas Should be Observed In the
Spirit OF transformations Charity.

Why Christmas Should be Observed In the
Spirit OF transformations Charity.
Christmas is the greatest day in the
year. Is there feeling that there is
getting to be too much of itp not too
much of it in the way Of kindliness and
brotherly love, but in the way of worry
and expense. The weeks before il are
full of feverish excitement, of nervous
expectation, of perplexity; the days
following it, of exhaustion. Childhood
is on tiptoe in two hemispheres, and
childhood has become so conscious of
its deserts that it is next to impossible
to surprise it, except by too small gifts
The day has to carry tremendous
load. The obesity that might be dis
tributed in healthful streams through
out the year is poured out in it in
prodigal waste by some, who seem
glad to relieve themselves of obliga-
tion by a single act. In point of cost
it is equal to half dozen weddings
Year by year the expense of gifts in
SiS"oOS' 10 tuis tuc uiCtutV VI iuouiOH,
or owing to the growth of kindly feel
ing? Is tia spontaneous response to
the spirit Of the day, or do any people
make gifts, because they are expected
to, and be1luse everybody else does,
and because there has grown up of
late years rivalry in this matter?
Since the Puritan distrust of this great
feast-day abated, the American people,
who are the most generous people in
, the wSGfr..ta,, have taken up Christmas
wiz the same enthusiasm that lately
L',ost Ls hsried funerals under weight
nSSc-Al tributes. We readily incline
Do excess, to an excess that destroys
the object we seek. Even for
our pleasures and amusements
we work harder than any other
people, and probably get less
rest and entertainment At the
rate we are now rushing Christmas
we are in danger of wearing it out in
q decade or two more. 1t is already
period from which too many people
date nervous prostration. Instead of
making the season simple and enjoy
able holiday, we are in danger of max
ing it an intolerable burden.
1t is because the Drawer desires to
preserve this Christmas season as one
of gayety and frolic and simple
pleasures, and widening and deepening
| Christian charity, that it makes these
unwelcome observations. There are no
more engaging creatures than children,
unless it be maidens at the age when,
on holidays, they pose as first or sec
| ond cousins, or serene and lovely elder
ly people in the midst of an Affection
ate family. But it cuts across tho
spirit Of the holiday when the children
are more eager for costly gift than
for game OF blind-man s-buff, and the
maidens do not value the salute under
| the mistletoe unless il is accompanied
by diamond bracelet; and the elderly
people, disturbed BY this cultivated
4 habit .of greeJys Expectation, are
grumbiing about the expense OF the
season. Tnefe is siiiall danger that
charity to tht poor will be overdonc,
that the spirit of the day IN regard TO
interfamily, Interstate and information
| al good-willmay 60 to excess, or that
the leaven Of the Sermon on the Mount
| will work TOO powerfully in society
that would be a mass of selfishness
without it. 1t is incalculable what
Christmas and the spirit Of Christmas
has done and is doing for the world.
The sun that rises on that day
in northern latitudes may not
melt the ice in the streams OF
the frost on the window-panes, bu,
there is no day like it for thawing the
human heart throughout Christendom
There is no day like it for assuaging
enmities, and reviving tender mem
cries, and drawing together the
. estranged, and narrowing the gulf be
/ tween classes. During this day tho
0 world is brotherhood. In the won
: drous birth of a child all the world re
news for some hours its childish faitl
and simplicity. The spirit of this even
!. prevails far beyond the circles where
y it is regarded as q reality.
: Why overlay it with artificiality
Why make it an expense hard to b.
borne? Why put into the preparation
for it an amount of labor and worr.
that ends in WEAKNESS and exhaustion
Costly gifts are the least necessary par
Q of it, worry is foreign to its spirit, AM
: both together may make it in time
!. burden, and as distasteful as the nois
and incendiarism of the Fourth OF July
!. The perpetuity of the best institutio
!. depends upon moderation. Childre
$ are the hope of the world. We shoul
It not undervalue them because they m
@ plenty. Home rule is just now tn
IS most popular doctrine in the worit
: But 1t may be just as well for the neN
II generation if the children are not no.
IS all home rulers. Give the parents
l. chance; they win be all the better fc
e. it. Let us let up little on the worr
/, and cost of Christmas, and keep tl
: best holidayof the ages in the old spir
s: IT transformations charity and the exc
IS Use of mirth and good will that r.
\. .reshes and does not weary. Ctdrt
10 Dudleu Warner, in Hdrper's Mdgazta